Huntington designates April as clean-up month

Huntington City Council has designated April as the clean-up month for the city. They want city residents to know that a dumpster has been placed at the rodeo grounds for clean-up purposes. They ask that tires and old refrigerators not be put in the dumpsters. Landfill personnel also asks that paint, turpentine, oil, pesticides, etc. not be put in the dumpsters. The open burning period will be April 12 to May 11 and a burn permit will be required and you can get these at city hall.

The Huntington City cemetery cleanup day will be April 26 at 10 a.m. The city is asking for volunteers for this clean-up project. Just show up prepared to help with rakes, shovels, etc. Huntington City will be turning the secondary water into the system soon and asks residents to prepare their systems to receive this water.

Tree limbs will be picked up during the spring and fall cleanup only. These must be limited to eight feet and cut into sizes the city workers can handle.

During the March city council meeting, Cathy Cowley told of a grant the city has received from the Eccles Foundation. This money will be used to help finish the Lion's Park. Improvements will include a soccer field, skate park, splash pad and a climbing toy for older children. She is asking for volunteers to help with any of these projects including laying sod and installing sprinklers on the soccer/flag football field. The city will also be fencing the park from the adjoining private property.

During the public comment period of the council meeting a resident requested the city place garbage cans along the city streets so people walking along Main Street can throw their garbage away. He has noticed a lot of trash along Main Street. The council said they would consider placing garbage cans at specific spots along Main Street.

Mayor Hilary Gordon reported the town's Easter egg hunt had gone well and about 200 people enjoyed the hunt and the dinner provided afterwards. Huntington City has been striping some of the roads for diagonal parking spots along some of the side streets adjacent to Main Street.

The scouts are installing new brackets along Main Street for the flags to be flown on the appropriate days. A few more flags are needed and will be ordered as well as a large flag for the cemetery. The mayor reported plans for Heritage Days over July 4 are coming along and the entertainment slots have been filled.

The grand marshals for the Emery County Fair will be public safety personnel and all EMTs and firefighters from Huntington are invited to participate in the fair parade. The fair would also like a float with the city council to ride in the parade and the Heritage Days queen to perform at the fair.

Councilman Jerry Livingston said with CIB monies they are planning on more sidewalk in the city. Plans are to begin with the streets right off of Main Street with the arteries that lead to the elementary school.

Livingston has also talked to the people parking their trucks behind the Castle Valley Co-op and instructed them to clean-up the coal that's been spilled there. The council is also in contact with the cattleman's association on the property leading to the junior high. They have indicated they would not sell the property, but would trade for property elsewhere. This is still being negotiated.

Letters have been sent out regarding the junk cars around town on city streets. Some of these cars have been impounded. Most of the people have complied and pulled the cars off the streets and into their yards.

Councilman Travis Larsen of the beautification committee said they meet the first Thursday of each month and encouraged any interested citizen to be on this committee. They are ordering flowers for the planters and the colors will be pink, purple and white this year. These flowers will be placed in the planters along Main Street on April 30 at 1 p.m. Anyone wishing to volunteer this day and help with the flower planting is welcome.

Larsen said they are looking at old homes around town that are in need of demolition and working with land owners on these. There are some safety issues concerning these old homes and many of them have open doors which children can access. Larsen mentioned a special team of asbestos trained inmates that can remove asbestos from old buildings and he will be in contact with them to see how this works.

Mayor Gordon said they are pursuing the legal avenues to get these problems addressed as many of the home owners don't live here anymore. The people who own the flour mill live in Duchesne and the city is looking for them to see what can be done with the old flour mill which is a haven for pests and rodents.

Huntington City workers have been sweeping streets and later in the summer the Castle Valley Special Service District crews will do this also. Mayor Gordon encouraged citizens to report any city property that needs to be taken care of as far as weed control.

Larsen said Huntington City will begin an award program to honor clean yards with a recognition. Perhaps a sign in their yard. They are still working on that concept.

The council said to heed the new speed limit signs of 45 mph on each end of the city and to remember the speed limit on city streets is 25 mph.

Councilman Bob Mills said he has met with Darrel Leamaster from the CVSSD on the location of the new fire hydrants in the city.

Mark Justice approached the city on some property he would like to develop. They gave Justice instructions on how to begin the annexation process. A petition will need to be filled out and the proper steps followed.

Mayor Gordon said that along with the improvements at the park and rodeo grounds, part of the mineral lease money will go towards a water truck to be used at the rodeo grounds and other places.

The council will have a work meeting before their April council meeting to discuss zoning and establishing zoning to determine what's allowed and what is not in each zone.

Larsen reported the city is working on an updated website where all the city ordinances will be available for everyone to read. Zoning maps and plat maps will also be available on the website. It was yet to be determined if the city will develop their own site or just use their link off the county website.

Livingston was appointed the deputy treasurer so he can be available to sign checks if needed.